Oldie Review: Michael Collins

Michael Collins is celebrating its 20th birthday this year and in honour of this milestone, Warner Bros. are rereleasing the film for a limited run in selected cinemas. Collins is one of Ireland’s most controversial patriots and a revolutionary hero. He had as many haters as he did supporters and similarly, Neil Jordan’s film had those for and against it. Either way, Michael Collins is considered an Irish classic so let’s reacquaint ourselves with this powerful and turbulent story.

The film begins during the aftermath of the Easter Rising in 1916 as Collins (Liam Neeson), Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn), Éamon “Dev” de Valera (Alan Rickman) and the remaining Irish revolutionaries surrender to the British forces. Upon his release, Collins takes up the leadership of the Irish independence movement in Dev’s absence and begins to try and create a free and peaceful Ireland. Upon Dev’s return, a power struggle begins and eventually, Dev orders Collins to go to London to negotiate with the British. Collins returns with a Treaty that splits the country in two and leads Ireland into Civil War.

The first time I saw Michael Collins was in school and I’ll always remember the excitement when the TV was wheeled in being replaced with shock and horror of what I was seeing on screen. It may not be a completely accurate portrayal of Irish history, but it captures the issues and the events following the Rising brilliantly. As an adult, I can now appreciate this film for its artistic cinematography (by the amazing Chris Menges) and its daring scenes which back in 1996 were huge undertakings.

Neil Jordan has said that even before he began pre-production, he only wanted Liam Neeson in the role of Collins. Liam is a formidable figure in his own right and it is hard to picture anyone else in the role. Even 20 years later, I can’t think of anyone who could take up the mantle if there was ever to be another film made that included Collins. On that note actually, there is a film in pre-production documenting the Easter Rising and in a funny coincidence, Liam’s son Michael has been cast as Collins. It will be interesting to see if the apple falls far from the tree or not. One thing’s for sure, they are pretty big boots to fill.

Aidan Quinn was equally as commanding on screen as the other half of the Collins/Boland bromance. Of Irish/American decent, some questioned his suitability for the role but he charmed audiences as Harry (and not just thanks to his piercing blue eyes). The casting that really got tongues wagging was that of the late Alan Rickman as De Valera. Similar to Neeson as Collins, Rickman as Dev was superbly cast but the irony isn’t lost on anyone. Casting a Brit in the role of one of Ireland’s most prolific members of the Dáil and the only leader of the Rising to survive was a daring move and it worked. It also raises the question of “are actors of the character’s nationality the best ones for the job?”. Rickman looked the part, acted his socks off and it became one of his most well known performances (until a little film called Harry Potter that is).

In terms of historical inaccuracy, Jordan has held his hands up and admitted he took some artistic liberties with the film. You may have noticed I haven’t mentioned the character of Kitty Kiernan (played by Julia Roberts) at all. In my opinion, she was a poor choice, but during the post film interview during ADIFF 2016 he made me think of something I hadn’t before. Julia was a huge star when cast in Michael Collins so pairing her with Neeson post Schindler’s List possibly helped draw in larger audiences in America. Both Quinn and Rickman were considered rising stars (pardon the pun) in 1996 so it’s not too farfetched to consider having another big name on the billing couldn’t hurt. In Irish eyes it did, but it certainly didn’t hinder the success of the film. Jordan also explained the choice to change aspects of the infamous GAA shooting. During a Gaelic football match in Croke Park, the Black and Tans fired into the crowd in retaliation for the events of Bloody Sunday. In the film, Jordan shows how military vehicles make their way onto the field before opening fire and in reality this wasn’t the case. His reason for choosing to use the vehicles is due to a scene later on in the film; Collins has to use them against his former comrades. This foreshadowing hammers the point home of how awful it was having former soldiers in arms battling against one another. We may not always agree with the artistic liberties filmmakers take, but there is usually method to their madness.

Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Rising, rereleasing the film is a lovely way to honour those who fought for our freedom and all those involved in making it. Love or hate it/him, Michael Collins is a film that has stood the test of time and even after 20 years, still has the same impact on audiences that it did in 1996. May it do the same, 20 more years from now.

About The Author

Geek Ireland Chief of Operations, Film and TV enthusiast who is a Disnerd in every sense of the word: Animation, Pixar, Live action, Marvel and especially, Lucasfilm lover. Also be warned - don't talk to her before she's had at least 1 cup of tea....for your own safety.

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